The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has received ₹21.26 million (approximately $2.12 billion) under the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) mechanism during the 2025-26 financial year. This amount comes from approvals granted for research, commercial exploitation, intellectual property rights, biosurveys, and bio-utilization of biological resources, reflecting the growing participation of industry in India’s biodiversity governance framework.
During this period, the seeds sector contributed the most, amounting to ₹11.75 million. This was followed by the AYUSH sector with ₹5.56 million. Other contributors included ₹1.40 million from the nutraceuticals sector and ₹1.18 million from the pharmaceuticals sector. Contributions also came from biotechnology, cosmetics, chemicals, biofuels, and food and beverages.
Major contributors in the seeds sector included Nunhems India Private Limited, East West Seeds India Private Limited, Pioneer Overseas Corporation, Nongwu Seed India Private Limited, and BASF India Private Ltd. Major contributors in the AYUSH sector included Himalaya Wellness Company, Organic India Private Limited, and Natural Remedies.
About 300 biological resources including maize, rice, turmeric, amla, mustard, bitter gourd, kalmegh, cardamom, basil, guggulu gum, neem leaves, garcinia, ashwagandha, black pepper and clove were used in these areas.
To date, the National Biodiversity Authority has received ₹266 crore in ABS funds from users of biological resources and related knowledge. Of this, ₹145 crore has already been disbursed to beneficiaries across the country.
The ABS mechanism established under the Biological Diversity Act ensures that benefits from the use of biological resources are shared fairly and equitably with local communities, Biodiversity Management Committees, farmers, and traditional knowledge holders. Funds generated directly contribute to biodiversity conservation, sustainable use of biological resources, and livelihood enhancement at the grassroots level.
This achievement reinforces India’s commitment to the objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing, and Goal 13 of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2024-2030. The growing contribution of industry demonstrates that economic development and biodiversity conservation can go hand in hand, creating a more sustainable and inclusive future for the country. (PIB)
